Get a placement

Photo of placement student with supervisor at Bosch

All undergraduate degrees offer the option to take a placement year: professional-level work experience with one or more organisations, over 45 weeks, as part of the degree. Every year approximately 1700 Loughborough students do a placement, usually in their penultimate year of studies. Approximately 150 students a year go abroad for their placement.

The benefits of a placement

Undertaking a placement year will enable you to:

apply your knowledge and skills in a work setting
develop key skills and competencies sought by graduate recruiters
experience a role in industry which interests you
gain a working insight into a specific professional area
attend valuable training courses
improve your chances of securing a graduate level job
perform better when you return to your academic studies
gain a higher degree classification
be fast-tracked through the recruitment process for some graduate opportunities
find a mentor or supervisor who could be a referee for you in future job applications

Successful completion of a 45-week placement will also lead to the award of a Diploma in addition to your degree qualification.

Gaining a diploma

The Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) or Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) is awarded to students who have met the academic and professional training requirements of a one year 'sandwich' placement. The Placement Module Specification, available on Learn, will have more details of what the expectations are for your programme.

The Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) is awarded to students after a successful period of study at a partner institution outside the UK and the assessment requirements can be similar to the DIS or DPS.

What it's like doing a placement

To hear what past placement students have to say about their experiences, watch the videos below:

Getting help with the placement process

If you do a placement as part of your degree, there are key people at the University who will support you during this part of your Loughborough journey.

Your Placements Team

There are a number of staff at the University responsible for providing support to placement students. Their individual titles may vary across Schools, but their roles fall into one of these categories.

Academic Placement Tutor/Co-ordinator

This is the member of academic staff in your School who oversees placement activity, ensuring that placements meet the appropriate requirement for accreditation and that support is provided for all aspects of the process.

Placement Officer

Each School has a dedicated person or team of people who support you in your search to find opportunities and ensures that the relevant administrative procedures are carried out, including Health and Safety and Risk Assessments. Support is provided before, during and after your placement. This includes arranging presentations to help you prepare for the process, promoting opportunities and providing one-to-one advice all year round.

Academic Placement Supervisor

All students undertaking a year placement are allocated a ‘supervisor’ who is a member of academic staff who provides support while you are out on placement. This person is responsible for ensuring you are well supported in the workplace, you are given well-defined assignments that support your learning and development and you are monitored during your placement. They will usually visit students in person on their placement in the UK and communicate via phone or video-call with students based outside the UK.

Careers Network

The Careers Network team offers information and advice to students across the University. We can provide additional help to students if finding a suitable placement is more challenging and to those seeking shorter periods of work experience which may or may not be accredited as part of your degree.

Student Services - Health and Wellbeing Teams

Your Health and Wellbeing is important and other teams based within Student Services can offer information and advice to support you before, during and after your placement. This includes: